Many of us know that feeling when we wake up in the night, start thinking about something completely trivial – and suddenly can’t get back to sleep. No matter what we do – even if we count a whole flock of sheep – it takes at least an hour before we drift off again. Perhaps even worse is not being able to fall asleep at all! We toss and turn, trying to banish even the most innocent thought, but sleep just won’t come. Of course, there are sleeping tablets – but let’s face it – this has nothing to do with a healthy lifestyle. And anyone who claims that alcohol helps is in a similar boat. There’s even a risk of developing a dangerous addiction here!
Fortunately, there is research that has long focused on the topic of quality sleep, and this has yielded insights into two hormones: serotonin (the hormone of happiness and good mood) and melatonin (the hormone of sleep and a regular circadian rhythm). So, scientists have sought to ensure sufficient levels of these hormones in the body. They discovered that there is an essential amino acid: tryptophan. The body cannot produce this itself; it must be obtained through diet or in the form of dietary supplements.
Tryptophan is found naturally in protein-rich foods: pork and beef, fish, eggs, milk, yoghurt, chocolate and nuts. In the body, tryptophan acts as a precursor to neurotransmitters or vitamin B3. If there is sufficient vitamin B6 in the body, tryptophan can be converted into the neurotransmitter serotonin, also known as the ‘happiness hormone’. This influences feelings of happiness and good mood, and helps to relieve stress, stage fright and emotional tension.
At night, the amino acid L-tryptophan can be converted into the sleep hormone melatonin. If there is sufficient vitamin B3 in the body, tryptophan is not converted into vitamin B3, but into the hormones serotonin and melatonin. And that is the desired end result: calmness and a peaceful night’s sleep.
Vitamin B3 plays a significant role in converting food into energy. A deficiency in it can therefore manifest as increased tiredness. It contributes to mental health – helping to alleviate mood swings and depression. It helps with allergies by reducing histamine release. It is an antioxidant, lowers cholesterol levels and helps manage diabetes. In addition to these important functions, it protects and improves skin health.
The most common symptoms of vitamin B3 deficiency are: memory problems, headaches and dizziness, fatigue, insomnia and nervousness, skin problems and inflammation, and inflammation of the mucous membranes.
If a vitamin B6 deficiency is short-term, it leads to fatigue, irritability and a low mood – as a result of disruption to neurotransmitters. This is accompanied by skin problems and chapped lips. A long-term deficiency leads to serious problems: a weakened immune system, impaired learning ability and memory loss.
That is why this dietary supplement containing the amino acid L-tryptophan is also enriched with both vitamins B3 and B6. It is important to choose a retailer of vitamins and dietary supplements whom you trust and who specialises exclusively in this field, rather than one that also sells thousands of other types of goods.
